A charity campaign embraced by North Somerset councillors has been recognised with a national award.

The Burnham branch of The Children’s Society, in High Street, has been calling on councils to exempt youngsters leaving care from paying council tax, and councillors in North Somerset - where there are around 220 care leavers - agreed to implement the policy.

The Leaving Care Award highlights organisations that help young people who are leaving care and transitioning into adulthood.

The category recognised efforts that help care leavers by supporting their accommodation, health, housing, training and employment needs.

Sam Royston, director of policy and research at The Children’s Society, said: “We hope the award leads to more awareness of our campaign and that we will see more councils pledging to support care leavers by adopting the policy.”